Bridgeton pioneer., 1887-02-03
ATTEMPTED MURDER !
ALEX. GOULD SHOOTS FIVE
TIMES AT HIS WIFE.
ATTEMPTS SUICIDE BY SHOOT
ING HIMSELF.


It was shortly before nine o'clock
when the report of pistol rang out on
the night air, and people in the vicin-
ity of Pearl and Jefferson streets were
Mortified to see a woman lying upon
the ground with a man, pistol in hand,
standing over her. The man was
Alexander Gould, of Springtown, en-
ployed as hoster by DR.. Henry Ell
mer, the woman was Annie Gould, his
wife, who is employed as domestic in
the household OF DR.. J. G. Kirby.
For some time past Annie has not
been living with her husband, jeal-
ousy being the cause. On Saturday
night week Alex. was running around
the streets looking for his wife who, he
claimed, was running about with
another man. He did not find her
however and thus matters stood until
last Saturday night.
The first noticed of the couple was
on South Laurel street where they
were quarreling over something and
finally they went round on Jefferson
street. Here Alex. demanded that she
should return some money which he
had loaned her, but she refused. Be-
coming angry Alex. threw his wife in
the gutter on Jefferson street near
Cassidy's residence He then drew
pistol and with an oath shot five times
at her, one ball taking effect in the
head about two inches over the right
eye.
Charles X. Dare saw the transaction
and made an effort to stop him, but
Gould waved him back and snapped
the pistol twice at his head. The
pistol fortunately did not go off. He
then made an Intellectual attempt to
shoot himself, and then ran off, escap
ing the crowd which was gathering.
The woman was helped to her feet
and asked to be taken to a physician.
She was supported by two gentlemen
to the Office of DR.. II. G.. Davis. She
was lain on the sofa and put under the
influence of ether. DIR. Davis then
probed for some time for the ball, but
could not find it. The wound was
sewed up and she was taken to a
friends house in the Third ward.
Yesterday morning her parents from
Springtown came in and took her
home. The wound is not dangerous
one and will soon heal all right.
In the meantime Gould had made
good his escape for time, nobody
being able to find trace of him. When
he first ran off he went through a lot
adjoining Squire Riley's property and
then out to Broad street as far as the
Presbyterian Cemetery. While run
ming along he made motions as if to
shoot several persons who attempted
to stop him. 1t was evidently his in
tention of going to his home at Spring
town when he first started off, but
changing his mind he went to the
house of Geo. Reed on Bergen street,
where he sometimes slept.
Reed noticed that he was out of
breath and asked him what was the
matter. He replied he would tell him
as soon as he got his breath. Reed
was sweeping, and continued his occu-
patton while Gould took his overcoat
off. Presently pistol shot was heard
and Reed turned and saw Alex with
the pistol under his chin, and blood
streaming down his neck. Two more
shots were fred and Reed ran out in
the yard calling for help. 1t is thought
that only one shot took effect. One
shot grazed his chin and sank into the
ceiling, above where it was afterward
picked out by Officer Garrison.
Shortly after this Officers Fithian
and Parvin appeared and found him
sitting beside the chair, moaning and
rolling his head from side ia side. He
was unable to speak.
DIR. Henry Elmer was sent for and
about eleven o'clock put in an appear
ance. The wound was probed for the
ball, but it could not be found, Gould
made motions that he had spit it out
in bucket. 1t was not found how
ever.
Charles X. Dare went before Squire
Riley and swore out a warrant for the
arrest of Gould charging him with an
attempt to kill. The warrant was
placed in Constable Shute's hand and
ha aYacnted IL shortly before eleven